The candidature was approved yesterday at the Ordinary Session of the Executive Council that took place yesterday in Nouakchott, Mauritanian.
“The candidature of Louise Mushikiwabo, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Rwanda to the post of La Francophonie Secretary General has just been officially approved by the Executive Council of the African Union,” reads a tweet by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rwanda.
Mushikiwabo candidature was also supported by France, the most influential country in the organization.
The elections of La Francophonie Secretary General are expected in October in Armenia at the General Assembly of the organization.
According to the Office of the President, Village Urugwiro, Kagame was received in Nouakchott by his Mauritanian counterpart, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz.
“President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz of Mauritania welcomes President Kagame to Nouakchott where he will chair the 31st Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union,” the Office of the President said in a tweet.
The AU Heads of State and Government Assembly was preceded by the Ordinary Session of the Executive Council which took place on 28th – 29th June 2018.
The 31st Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union takes place under the theme “Winning the Fight against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa’s.
Ties between Rwanda and Egypt have been strengthened in past years with both countries running fully-fledged diplomatic missions in their two capitals.
Egypt through its Rwandan embassy that was opened in 1975, has contributed quite commendably especially in the areas of health, where contributions were made towards supporting vulnerable Rwandans to access high-tech medical procedures from Cairo, or at several occasions through flying into groups of medical experts from Egypt to treat patients, dominated by poor folks who could otherwise not afford the specialized health care provided.
The great relationship between these two countries kicked off years ago when Rwanda opened its embassy but came to close only to be re-opened again in 2015, where Sheikh Habimana Saleh, the Mufti of Rwanda, became Rwanda’s first Envoy to Egypt.
Every four years, Egypt sends off a new envoy to Rwanda, with the recent one being Ahmed El Ansary who replaced Dr Namira Mohamed El-Mahdi Negm.
In an exclusive interview with IGIHE Reporter, Rwanda’s Envoy to Egypt, Habimana Saleh said that ties between Rwanda and Egypt across several sectors including trade, healthcare and education among others, were at its best peek.
On Education, the envoy said; “Rwandans who come to study in Egypt are either Muslims or are Government-aided, although the latter is rare. There are also few who pay for themselves.”
Today, a total of 63 Rwandans study in Egypt with 51 studying in Al-Azhar University, Cairo. Seven of the rest are sponsored by Alexandria University, while two are sponsored by Rwanda Military Hospital to study in Cairo University. When added up to a few based Rwandans, a total of Rwandans residing in Egypt are 88.
On Healthcare, Sheikh Habimana hinted that in coming days, a deal between the respective Health Ministries of Egypt and Rwanda would see the latter receiving medicines to cure Communicable Diseases – ACPHD.
He also added that there were Egyptian investors interested in Rwanda’s hotels, while others were working on an Amusement/theme park dubbed “Kigali Dream Park & Resort”, and others who were interested in Rwanda’s Industrial sector, mainly in the clothing sector, Wood and Furnitures, and Home Appliances – like Refrigerators, Ironing machines, Television, and others.”
Among these awaited projects, the Amusement park to be built over an area of 200,000 sq. meters that will be dubbed “Kigali Dream Park & Resort” will be allocated in Rusororo, Gasabo District. The wonderland project led by Bahgat Group will feature various attractions, such as rides and games, as well as other events for entertainment purposes.
Aside of performing Trade projects, Bahgat Group is in a drive of supporting citizens, where the group chairman Ahmed Bahgat announced that 60 households will receive electricity from solar-energy with the Group’s support.
Commenting on these projects, Egypt’s Envoy to Rwanda, Ahmed El Ansary, noted that nothing specific had been yet done, but that in coming days, most will be launched. He further gave an example of the ongoing Egypt and Middle East expo, saying that it was only one of their many projects.
Every year, the Egypt and Middle East expo is organized in Rwanda, during which products made in Egypt are showcased and it is also seen as a gateway for Egyptian investors in the Rwandan market.
Both Rwanda and Egypt share common interests on the regional and international scene, besides their membership in many organizations and regional gatherings such as COMESA, the NEPAD initiative, the African Union, and the Nile Basin Initiative.
In August 2017, President Abdel Fattah el Sisi was the first Egyptian leader to visit Rwanda, where he was welcomed by President Kagame, before proceeding to a guided tour of the Kigali Genocide Memorial where he paid tribute to victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
In Rusizi District of Western Province, Ephrem Kayumba has been elected the new mayor with 91.7% of the total vote, while his opponent Djuma Kajigo got 8%.
Kayumba who had been the Executive Secretary of Nyamasheke District replaces Frederic Harerimana who resigned in May citing personal reasons.
In Nyagatare District of Eastern Province, Claudian Mushabe was elected the new mayor replacing George Mupenzi who together with both vices resigned in May.
Mushabe had been the Executive Secretary of Gakenke District in Northern Province.
In Huye District of Southern Province, Ange Sebutege was elected the new mayor with 225 votes of278.
Sebutege had been the Head of Communication and Customer Care in Rwanda Directorate General of Migration and Emigration.
André Kamana has been elected the Vice-mayor in charge of economic development and Annonciata Kankesha, the vice-mayor in charge of social affairs.
In Bugesera District of Eastern Province, Richard Mutabazi has been elected, the mayor replacing Emmanuel Nsanzumuhire.
The former Rwanda Basketball Federation Secretary General Mutabazi acted on the docket after Nsanzumuhire and both vices resignation in May.
In Gicumbi District, Felix Ndayamabaje was elected the mayor replacing Juvenal Mudaheranwa who together with the vices resigned in May.
The elections also took place in Nyabihu District and saw Antoinette Mukandayisenga elected the mayor. Mukandayisenga replaces Theoneste Uwanzwenuwe who resigned in May.
Worth Rwf2,5 billion, the facility is located in Busasamana Sector.
The facility houses the High Court Chamber of International and Cross-border Crimes, the High Court Chamber of Nyanza, the International Crimes Unit of the National Public Prosecution Authority and the primary court of Busasamana.
Speaking at the ceremony yesterday, Rugege requested justice sector players to use the facility for justice delivery.
“We hope that judges and prosecutors will effectively perform their jobs. I am optimistic that the job that will be performed from here will meet expectations of people through good justice delivery,” he said.
Nyanza District mayor, Erasme Ntazinda welcomed the court in the district saying that Nyanza continues to be the hub of justice.
“As Nyanza is the town of culture, we should not forget that it had been the hub of justice from long ago as it hosted the royal court,” he said.
The construction activities were funded by the Netherlands and the Government of Rwanda.
The Netherlands Ambassador to Rwanda, Frédérique de Man commended the achievement and said that their government will continue to partner with the government of Rwanda in different activities including justice.
She urged Rwandan justice sector players to uphold professionalism. The court will host the cases of Genocide fugitives transferred to Rwanda for trial from different countries.
Mbanda was speaking Thursday in Kigali in a meeting with the Forum of Political Parties in Rwanda.
The meeting was aimed at discussing the preparatory process of parliamentary elections.
He said that for the elections to run smoothly, NEC should work with different institutions including political parties as major stakeholders.
“Political parties are vital partners in elections. They are the ones providing candidates for Parliamentary elections and their representatives’ ideas contribute to the establishment of national laws,” he said.
Speaking to the media, Mbanda said that meeting political parties’ representatives is in line with the preparatory process.
“We request them to contribute towards civic education by mobilising their members,” he said.
The Spokesperson of Political Party Forum, Elisabeth Mukamana said that they are ready to contribute by encouraging people to participate in elections.
Mukamana is optimistic that the elections will be smoothly conducted.
Recently, NEC announced that they received six Private Candidates seeking documents allowing them to collect signatures supporting their candidacies.
The larviciding and spatial spraying for mosquito control is being used to kill mosquitoes from the breeding grounds like bushes, swamps, water bodies among others.
The exercise was launched Thursday in Kamonyi District, Musambira Marshland.
It is spearheaded by the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Defence under the partnership with different government institutions and partners.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Health, Dr. Diane Gashumba said that fighting malaria is a demanding exercise which calls for participation of all.
“We should spray all mosquito habitats and breeding grounds to stop their multiplication and eventual extension of their effects to our homes, you should participate in this exercise to stop malaria which continues to claim lives of Rwandans,” she said.
She encouraged Kamonyi residents to sleep in mosquito nets as a way of avoiding contact with mosquitoes that could transmit malaria to them.
Defence Minister, Gen. James Kabarebe said that Rwandan army is in charge of people’s security but which cannot be complete when some residents are susceptible to malaria.
“Complete security is when residents are healthy, children studying, people work freely and protected from such life threatening diseases like malaria. That is ample security which allows people to work for development of the country,” he said.
The mosquito sprays are manufactured by a local company Agropy from pyrethrum.
The exercise will start from Districts which are prone to malaria including, Kamonyi, Nyamasheke, Nyarugenge, Gasabo and Kicukiro.
The initiatives ranged from clean-up campaigns to building training institutions, refurbishing schools and libraries, establishing ICT centres, running health awareness campaigns, supporting orphans and raising funds for worthy causes.
The highlight of this year’s programme was, however, the Global Y’ello Career Day held across 19 of MTN’s operating companies. The Career Day was the perfect way to end a successful 21 days of employee volunteerism, with the company joining forces with public and private sector entities to prepare young people for the future of work, by sharing insights into the digital future.
In collaboration with Ministry of Youth and the Ministry of ICT, MTN Rwanda Career Day attracted 200 youth with 30 young innovators from various universities. The youth were educated and enlightened about how technological advancements are reshaping the world as we know it, and the skills and competencies they need to acquire to succeed in the future. They were also given practical tips to help them bolster their employment prospects and introduced to the concept and practice of entrepreneurship.
Reflecting on the Career Day, Miranda Davids, MTN Group Corporate Social Investment (CSI) Manager said, “The idea of the Global Career Day was born out of our desire to support governments and other stakeholders to reduce the digital skills gap among the youth in our markets, so that they can take advantage of the opportunities presented by new technology.”
She also lauded the efforts of all MTN employees who contributed to the success of this year’s edition of Y’ello Care, adding that it serves to strengthen the company’s community development efforts, particularly those aimed at uplifting the youth, who often feel marginalised and excluded from the digital economy.
During the 21 days, MTNers in Rwanda also conducted an education programme focused on Youth Empowerment through ICT. In collaboration with Ministry of ICT, Ministry of Local Government and Rwanda Online, MTN provided ICT training to 1,000 unemployed youth in eight districts using a mobile digital bus. They were able to digitalise eight model villages, donated 40 computers connecting 23,856 Rwandans in rural areas and provided eight megabytes for three months in partnership with Rwanda Online.
MTN Rwanda also focused on the Government’s priority of providing clean water to communities. Staff came together to set up water tanks in eight rural schools to provide clean water, directly impacting and changing lives of 12,300 pupils and 240 teachers.
MTNers who operate in trying conditions rose to the challenge to make a difference to many people’s lives; for instance, MTN Syria held Ramadhan Iftar for more than 300 orphans in Damascus, while MTNers in Afghanistan worked together to launch a capacity building centre, and in Sudan, employees provided support to low income families by providing small urban farming units to be used as food sources and a means for generating income.
Other operations like MTN Business Kenya and MTN in Ghana engaged in activities aimed at ensuring environmental sustainability; Kenyan employees installed a bio-digester, to produce biogas for catering classes at a training centre while MTN Ghana collected plastic bottles for recycling at the James Town Beach in Accra. These are just a few of the activities that MTNers engaged in, but that will transform the lives of thousands of people.
{{Y’ello Care competition}}
All MTN operations that participated in Y’ello Care 2018 stand a chance to win monetary prizes, which will be re-invested into CSI or community uplift programmes in their countries. These include the Group President and CEO prize of US$100,000, and first and second runner up prizes of US$30,000 each. Winners will be announced in the latter part of 2018.
He was speaking at a press conference he held yesterday in Kigali along with Rwanda’s Prosecutor General, Jean Bosco Mutangana.
Brammertz said that early release should follow clear directives and said that Meron’s decisions are inappropriate due to the intensity of genocide crimes.
“Internationally, early release has certain directives. Here, we speak about genocide crime, a crime that had impact to the human being and the country, which is why they need transparency. For me, before releasing any convict, I would make sure whether they don’t negate or trivialize the crimes they had perpetrated,” he explained.
He said that laws releasing people who served two-thirds in prison should go clear.
“Currently, no law compels the Judge to consult any person before granting early release to convicts, that is why my office has embarked on requesting for the establishment of the law, so that it will specify procedures leading to early release. The law should include consulting parties connected with the decision,” he added.
Mutangana said that early release of genocide convicts should reflect impact it would cause to unity and reconciliation of Rwandans.
“Those are Rwandans who were sentenced by international courts, they were tried and sentenced by the United Nations, but,they were not deprived of Rwandan nationality, there are Rwandans and we are still witnessing the genocide effects. That is why early release decisions should be discussed and agreed between UN and the country,” he said.
MICT’s Meron granted early release to Ferdinand Nahimana and Fr. Emmanuel Rukundo who were serving their sentences in Mali.
Meron is also in the process to release Col. Aloys Simba, Dominique Ntawukuriryayo and Hassan Ngeze who have already served two-thirds of their sentences.
Speaking to the press yesterday, the Commissioner General of Prisons, George Rwigamba said that the money was raised through fundraising from officers’ salaries starting in January 2017 collecting 1% from monthly salary.
“Since then, we started collecting monthly contribution until today and the exercise will continue. We are glad to provide this contribution. Our staffs are happy to contribute to Agaciro Development Fund,” he said.
He said that monthly contribution from all RCS officers equals Rwf1.7 million.
Agaciro Development Fund’s Chief Executive Officer, Jack Kayonga hailed RCS senior officers for contributing to national development.
“This is a good gesture which shows us that you think about the fund. We remind Rwandans that saving for the nation doesn’t require big incomes, but it is patriotism and spirit of building the nation,” he said.
He encouraged different institutions to learn from RCS, Rwanda Defence Force and Police as institutions which continue to contribute to Agaciro.
